The Bridge Builders Forum

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What kind of legacy do we want to leave behind?

In this episode of Bridge Builders Forum, Ryan Lambert sits down with author and publisher Nikki Goldstein to discuss her powerful book, Conversations with My Rabbi, co-authored with Rabbi Eli Schlanger.

What began as an unlikely friendship between a secular Jewish woman and an Orthodox Chabad rabbi became a profound journey of spiritual discovery, moral reflection, and shared purpose. But after Rabbi Eli was tragically killed in the antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach during Hanukkah 2025, Nikki found herself carrying...

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Paul is one of the most influential figures in history. He is also one of the most misunderstood.

For many Christians, Paul is presented as the founder of a new religion that broke away from Judaism. But what if that picture is incomplete? What if understanding Paul in his first-century Jewish and Greco-Roman context changes how we read his letters, interpret Acts, and appreciate his mission?

In this special episode, Ryan invites you to join him and Kara on the Journey with the Jewish Paul Cruise, a unique 9-night...

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How does a Christian from the hills of Tennessee end up building one of the most respected Christian service organizations in Israel?

In this episode of Bridge Builders Forum, Ryan Lambert sits down with Tommy Waller, founder of HaYovel, to discuss the remarkable story of how a family from rural Tennessee became deeply involved in serving Israeli farmers and building relationships with the Jewish people in Israel and around the world.

For years, Tommy, his wife Sherri, and the Waller family have mobilized thousands of Christians from around the...

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In this special episode of Bridge Builders Forum, Ryan Lambert provides an important update on the Olive Tree Campaign and explains why Christians urgently need a clearer theological language regarding Israel, Judaism, and the Jewish people.

Many Christians today genuinely want to stand against antisemitism and replacement theology. They want to express solidarity with the Jewish people in ways that are biblically grounded, thoughtful, and constructive. But when it comes time to explain why that relationship matters theologically, many realize they lack the vocabulary to do so.

That lack...

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In Part 2 of this conversation, Ryan Lambert continues his discussion with New Testament scholar Dr. Anders Runesson about his book Judaism for Gentiles.

Building on Part 1, this episode explores some of the biggest questions surrounding Paul, the early Jesus movement, and the relationship between Judaism and Christianity.

Together, Ryan and Anders discuss:
• Paul’s “rule in all the ekklesiai” and whether it represents a central feature of Paul’s mission and message
• The difference between the “joining of the ways” and the more familiar “parting of the ways” model
•...

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Paul is one of the most influential figures in human history. He is also one of the most misunderstood.

For many people, Paul is remembered as the person who moved the Jesus movement away from Judaism and helped create what eventually became Christianity. But what if that framing misses something important?

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Ryan Lambert sits down with New Testament scholar Dr. Anders Runesson to explore a radically different way of understanding Paul, the early Jesus movement, and the relationship between Judaism and the New...

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Recently, Ryan Lambert joined Alec Dunlop on the Water into Wine podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about Paul, Judaism, Jewish-Christian relations, and the personal journey that led Ryan into this work.

Together, they explore why the Jewish context of Paul matters so much, how misunderstandings about Judaism have shaped Christian theology, and why healthier relationships between Jews and Christians remain deeply important today.

This conversation also offers a more personal look into the vision behind Bridge Builders Forum and the growing work of Jewish-Christian bridge building.

If...

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What is Judeophobia? And how does this term relate to the New Testament?

In this episode of Bridge Builders Forum, Ryan Lambert sits down with Dr. Meredith Warren, co-editor of Judeophobia and the New Testament, for an important and thought-provoking conversation about how New Testament texts have been interpreted in ways that contributed to harmful ideas about Jews and Judaism.

Together, they explore:

What the term “Judeophobia” means
How certain New Testament passages have been used in anti-Jewish ways
The Gospel of John and difficult text...

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What is Mussar? And why are so many people being drawn to it today?

In this episode of the Bridge Builders Forum, I sit down with Alan Morinis, one of the leading voices in the modern revival of Mussar, to explore a powerful and deeply practical stream of Jewish spiritual practice focused on the inner life.

For some, Mussar is already a meaningful part of their spiritual journey. For others, it’s a completely new concept. But at its core, Mussar is about something universal: becoming more intentional about wh...

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What does it really look like for Christians to stand with Israel and the Jewish people—and to do so in a way that is biblically grounded and relationally meaningful?

In this episode of the Bridge Builders Forum, we sit down with Shelley Neese to explore how Scripture—especially the biblical prophets—can shape how Christians think about Israel, the Jewish people, and walking faithfully today.

Shelley serves as the coordinator for American Christian Leaders for Israel and leads The Jerusalem Connection, where she helps Christians engage these questions though...

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Do Jews have to be “out” for Christians to be “in”?

It’s a question that sits at the heart of how many people have understood the Apostle Paul—and it has shaped centuries of Christian attitudes toward Jews and Judaism.

In this episode, we take a fresh look at Romans, focusing on Paul’s olive tree imagery in chapter 11.

Did Paul really believe that Jews who do not believe in Jesus were removed from God’s covenants?
Or is that a reading shaped more by later theologica...

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What is the field of Jewish–Christian relations—and why does it matter more than most people realize?

In this episode of the Bridge Builders Forum, we sit down with Rev. Dr. Daniel Joslyn-Siemiatkoski, director of the Center for Christian-Jewish Learning at Boston College  @bostoncollegectrforchristi8244 , for a conversation that takes you inside a world many people don’t even know exists.

Drawing from a recent conference at Boston College titled Mapping the Field of Jewish–Christian Relations, we explore the growing body of scholarship, collaboration, and conversation dedicated to helping J...

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What is Universal Zionism? And why would it matter to a Christian in Kentucky as much as to a Jew in Jerusalem…maybe even more?

In this episode of the Bridge Builders Forum, Ryan Lambert sits down with Rabbi Tuly Weisz, founder of Israel 365, to explore one of the most compelling—and controversial—visions shaping Jewish–Christian relations today.

Joining us from Israel during the war with Iran, Rabbi Weisz shares his personal story of how an Orthodox rabbi from Ohio became a leading voice building bridges between Jews and Chri...

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What does it actually look like for Jews and Christians to stand together—not just in words, but in real life?

In this final session of the Olive Tree Course Pilot, we move from theology to action.

We explore two crucial affirmations that challenge how Christians read Scripture and relate to Jewish people today:

How interpretations of the Bible impact real Jewish communities
How genuine relationship requires honoring differences—not erasing them

For centuries, certain Christian teachings—often unintentionally—have contributed to harmful ideas about Je...

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What is Chabad, really?

Recently, Tucker Carlson raised that question while making serious accusations about Chabad, the global Jewish movement known for its outreach and community work. In this episode of the Bridge Builders Forum podcast, Ryan Lambert offers a personal response based on his extensive experience as a member of a Chabad congregation.

Ryan addresses recent claims about Chabad’s role in Middle East politics, explains how Chabad actually speaks about the Messianic era and the rebuilding of the Temple, and shares what he has personally experienced inside Ch...

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In this Bridge Builders Forum episode, Ryan Lambert sits down with Rabbi Joe Charnes to explore one of the most important and debated questions in biblical interpretation:

How Jewish was the Apostle Paul, really?

This conversation comes from a recent Bridge Builders Forum Coffee & Connection live gathering, where Rabbi Joe and Ryan continued a thoughtful discussion that began in an earlier episode about Paul as a Jewish figure.

Both speakers approach Paul as Jewish interpreters who respect him deeply, yet they arrive at different conclusions about how...

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In a time when the relationship between Jews and Christians is being tested, debated, and sometimes misunderstood, thoughtful leadership and meaningful relationships matter more than ever.

In this episode of the Bridge Builders Forum, Ryan Lambert sits down with Rev. Peter Fast, International President and CEO of Bridges for Peace, an organization that has spent more than 50 years building relationships between Christians and Jews around the world.

Peter joins the conversation from Israel to share his personal journey, the mission behind Bridges for Peace, and why fostering healthy Christian–Je...

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What does it really mean for Christians to stand with the Jewish people — in a way that is biblical, honest, and free from hidden agendas?

In this episode of the Bridge Builders Forum, we share an excerpt from Session 3 of the Olive Tree Pilot Course, part of the Olive Tree Campaign—an initiative designed to help Christians grow in understanding what it means to stand against antisemitism and with the Jewish people.

In this session, Ryan Lambert walks through Olive Tree Affirmations 6–8, addressing three of the most sensitive and often...

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In recent years, a growing number of Jewish scholars have begun engaging the Apostle Paul as a first-century Jew writing within the diversity of Jewish life and thought. But these scholars do not all reach the same conclusions—especially when it comes to Paul’s relationship to Jews and Judaism.

In this episode of the Bridge Builders Forum Podcast, Ryan Lambert sits down with Dr. Sarah Emanuel, associate professor of theological studies at Loyola Marymount University and author of Wrestling with Paul. Together, they explore Paul’s Jewish identity, the complexity of his...

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In this episode, we continue the Olive Tree Course pilot by exploring Olive Tree Affirmations 3–5—three statements that challenge long-standing Christian assumptions about Judaism, the New Testament, and how authentic learning takes place.

For centuries, many Christians have inherited the idea that Judaism was a problem Jesus came to solve, that the New Testament stands in opposition to Jewish life and practice, and that Christianity can define Judaism without listening to Jewish voices. These assumptions have shaped theology, preaching, and imagination—often with harmful consequences.

This conversation offers a differ...

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How should the book of Acts be read? And what’s at stake in how we answer that question?

The book of Acts is often treated as the story of Christianity’s break from Judaism: the moment when “the Way” replaces “the Jews,” and Judaism becomes a problem the gospel has moved beyond. But what if that assumption is misplaced?

In this episode of the Bridge Builders Forum Podcast, Ryan Lambert is joined by Dr. Jason Moraff, Chair of the Department of Theological Studies at The King’s University, to explore a d...

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What does it really mean for Christians to stand against antisemitism and stand with the Jewish people—in a way that is deeply biblical and faithful to the New Testament?

In this Bridge Builders Forum episode, you’ll hear an excerpt from Session One of the Olive Tree Pilot Course, a live Zoom teaching that introduces the Olive Tree Campaign and explores Olive Tree Affirmations 1 and 2.

Drawing on the Apostle Paul’s olive tree imagery in Romans 11, this session directly challenges Replacement Theology and addresses the widespread confusion many Christ...

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Antisemitism is being talked about more than ever—but understanding it clearly remains a challenge.

Narratives move quickly. Headlines simplify complex realities. And ancient ideas often resurface in modern forms without being recognized for what they are. In this episode of the Bridge Builders Forum podcast, we explore how those dynamics shape attitudes toward Jews today—and why biblical interpretation and media narratives matter more than we often realize.

I’m joined by Tricia Miller, Director of the Partnership of Christians and Jews at CAMERA (Committee for Accuracy in Middle...

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Many Christians want to stand clearly against antisemitism and with the Jewish people—but often struggle to explain why doing so is a deeply biblical expression of Christian faithfulness.

In this special episode, Ryan Lambert introduces the Olive Tree Campaign, a new initiative from Bridge Builders Forum designed to help Christians develop clear, responsible, and biblically grounded language for supporting the Jewish people—without erasing Judaism, repeating harmful assumptions, or relying on inherited theological frameworks that strain Jewish–Christian trust.

Drawing on the Apostle Paul’s olive tree imagery in Roman...

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As we come to the close of 2025, Ryan Lambert shares a short, heartfelt message with the Bridge Builders Forum community.

In this brief episode, Ryan reflects on the growth of the podcast over the past year, thanks listeners for their thoughtful engagement, and looks ahead to the important work still to come in 2026. Bridge Builders Forum exists to help Jews and Christians better understand their faith, the Bible, and each other—and this episode offers a glimpse into how that work extends beyond the podcast through Zoom studies, conversations, teaching resources, an...

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In this episode of the Bridge Builders Forum podcast, Ryan Lambert is joined by Lois Tverberg, one of the most trusted Christian voices helping readers understand Jesus within his Jewish world.

For decades, Lois has helped Christians recover the historical, cultural, and Jewish context of the New Testament—inviting readers to approach Scripture with deeper humility and greater respect for Judaism, both ancient and modern. Her books, including Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus, Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus, and Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus, have shaped ho...

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Did the Apostle Paul celebrate Hanukkah?

As more Christians become interested in the Jewish roots of their faith and in learning about Jewish holidays, this question is being asked more often. And it’s an important one. Exploring it helps us step more fully into the world of Jewish life in the time of both Jesus and Paul.

Paul never mentions Hanukkah directly in his letters, and the festival doesn’t appear in the book of Acts. But that silence doesn’t tell the whole story.

In this e...

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Fifteen years ago, Dr. Pamela Eisenbaum released a paradigm-shifting book with a provocative title: Paul Was Not a Christian. Since then, her work has reshaped how scholars, pastors, and everyday readers understand the Apostle Paul—his mission, his message, and his identity as a Jew within Judaism.

In this episode, Ryan Lambert sits down with Dr. Eisenbaum to explore:

Why Paul must be understood within Judaism, not outside of it

How Krister Stendahl influenced a generation of Pauline scholarship

Why Paul’s letters should be read...

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Most Christians assume Paul wrote all thirteen letters that bear his name in the New Testament. But for nearly two centuries, scholars have asked two important questions:
Which letters did Paul actually write?
And what do we do with Hebrews?

In this episode of Journey with the Jewish Paul, Ryan breaks down the difference between undisputed and disputed Pauline letters, explains why Hebrews is almost certainly not written by Paul, and shows how scribes (or “secretaries”) shaped the final form of Paul’s letters.

This exploration helps us rea...

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There’s a growing shift in parts of the Christian world — a movement questioning Christian support for Israel and even the value of the Jewish-Christian relationship itself.
Why is this happening? What ideas are driving it? And why does it matter for the future of Christian engagement with Israel and the Jewish people?

In this episode, Ryan Lambert is joined by Luke Moon, Executive Director of The Philos Project, a Christian organization that equips believers to engage the Near East with faith, integrity, and understanding. Luke recently wrote a widely shar...

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Was Paul a Christian Zionist?
It’s a question gaining traction again — especially as headlines and debates challenge whether Christian support for Israel and the Jewish people is truly biblical. In this episode of Journey with the Jewish Paul, Ryan Lambert explores what Paul actually believed about Israel, the covenants, and the Land.

Through key texts in Romans 9–11 and Galatians 1–2, Ryan shows how Paul’s heart and mission remained deeply connected to Jerusalem and the people of Israel. Paul’s language — “to them belong the covenants” and “the gifts and calling of God are i...

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What happens when we take seriously the reality that the Apostle Paul, even at his most Jewish, lived and worked within a pagan, god-congested world?

In this episode, Ryan Lambert speaks with distinguished scholar Dr. Paula Fredriksen about the newly released volume she co-edited, Paul within Paganism. Together they explore how Jews and pagans mingled across the Mediterranean, why Paul’s message was socially disruptive for both Gentile and Jewish authorities, and how reading Paul within the Greco-Roman landscape sharpens — not weakens — our understanding of Paul as a Torah-faithful Jew.

Th...

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Did Paul call the Jewish people “God’s enemies” in Romans 11:28?

In this episode of Journey with the Jewish Paul, Ryan Lambert looks closely at one of the most misunderstood verses in the New Testament — a verse that has often been used to justify Christian hostility toward the Jewish people.

We explore:

*why some English translations say “enemies of God”

*how the Greek text actually works

*why Paul also calls the same Jewish people “beloved”

*why Paul saw Jewish unbelief as temporary, not p...

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In 1965, the Catholic Church issued Nostra Aetate, a groundbreaking declaration that dramatically transformed its relationship with the Jewish people — rejecting centuries of theological hostility and opening the door to renewed friendship and respect.

Sixty years later, the legacy of Nostra Aetate continues to shape Jewish-Christian relations. But what still needs to be done?

In this episode, Ryan Lambert speaks with Dr. Philip Cunningham, co-director of the Institute for Jewish-Catholic Relations at Saint Joseph’s University, and a widely respected scholar in Catholic-Jewish dialogue. Together they explore:

What Nost...

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Were Paul’s churches actually synagogue sub-groups?
We usually imagine Paul planting “Christian churches” that were completely separate from Judaism — but that’s not likely how Paul saw it.

In this episode of Journey with the Jewish Paul, Ryan Lambert explores a game-changing possibility: that Paul’s “churches” were actually assemblies meeting within Jewish synagogues — not outside of them.

You’ll discover:

Why Paul’s Gentile followers could only worship Israel’s God within synagogue life

Why synagogues were the only place they could learn and interpret the...

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Can Christians embrace the Jewish Sabbath, and if so, what might it look like?
In this inspiring episode of the Bridge Builders Forum Podcast, Ryan Lambert sits down with Michael and Selah Hirsch, authors of Pressing Pause, to explore how rediscovering the biblical rhythm of Shabbat transformed their family life, deepened their relationship with God, and helped them resist the exhaustion of a nonstop culture.

Together, they discuss:

*What “soul exhaustion” looks like in today’s world and how Shabbat offers a sacred refuge.

*How a trip t...

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Why are so many Christians celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles? And what does this ancient Jewish festival have to do with the Apostle Paul?

In this episode of Journey with the Jewish Paul, Ryan Lambert explores the surprising connection between Sukkot and Paul’s mission to the Gentiles. Drawing on Zechariah’s vision of the nations streaming to Jerusalem to worship the God of Israel, Ryan reveals how Paul saw his calling as part of that same prophetic hope, the great “ingathering of the nations.”

Discover how Paul’s Jewish fai...

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Aleph Beta has transformed the way countless people engage with the Torah. With animated videos, podcasts, and courses, they’ve made learning not only meaningful but also enjoyable, reaching a diverse audience of Jews and Christians worldwide.

In this episode of the Bridge Builders Forum Podcast, Ryan Lambert sits down with Aleph Beta’s CEO, Imu Shalev, to explore the story behind this groundbreaking Torah media company. From Imu’s own journey, to the creative process behind Aleph Beta’s signature videos, to the global impact of teaching intertextuality and other literary...

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Did the Apostle Paul continue to observe Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, after becoming a follower of Jesus? Many assume the answer is no, that Paul abandoned the Temple, sacrifices, and Jewish holy days. Others claim he reinterpreted Yom Kippur purely through Christ.

But the New Testament paints a more complex (and more Jewish) picture of Paul. In this episode of Journey with the Jewish Paul, Ryan Lambert explores why Paul likely continued to honor Yom Kippur, even as he proclaimed Christ to the nations. 

F...

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What does it really mean to live on purpose? And can ancient Jewish wisdom help anyone, regardless of background, live with greater clarity, direction, and meaning?

In this inspiring episode of the Bridge Builders Forum Podcast, Ryan Lambert sits down with Rabbi Mendel Kalmenson, author of On Purpose: Practical Wisdom for Designing a Life of Purpose. 

Drawing from the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, one of the most influential Jewish leaders of the 20th century, Rabbi Kalmenson shares how timeless Jewish ideas can guide all people, Jewish, Christian, or o...